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Top Eugene-Springfield high school running backs to watch in 2026
The 2026 Oregon high school football season is just around the corner.
With Week 1 less than a month away, The Register-Guard is taking a closer look at the top players in the Eugene-Springfield area across every position group.
Next up: the running backs.
Many local schools are returning all-league ball-carriers, while others will look for up-and-coming players to step into big backfield roles.
Here is a preview of the top local running backs based on last year's stats, all-league and all-state lists, as well as insight from local coaches.
Zuzi Alwineyan, Conner Harvey and Jonny Jenkins, Willamette
Willamette will have no shortage of talented backfield options in 2026.
Hard-hitting senior Zuzi Alwineyan is back after earning second-team all-conference honors last fall. Alwineyan missed games late in the year due to injury, which provided a chance for Jonny Jenkins to step up as a freshman. Jenkins made the most of his opportunity and erupted for 93 yards and three touchdowns against Central Catholic in the Class 6A quarterfinals.
Standout senior Conner Harvey has joined the Wolverines after earning Class 4A all-state honors at Marist Catholic each of the last two seasons. Harvey also will play a big defensive role at linebacker, according to coach Josh Line.
"The growth that (Jenkins) has made as a player over the course of the offseason has been significant," Line said. "Jonny and Zuzi kind of have a similar running style; they want to challenge you and knock you off your feet. We've been working on that a lot, avoiding some of those hits. Those guys naturally like the contact, but we want to get the ball in the end zone. So, it's, 'Let's avoid some of those tackles and know when it's time to bounce outside.'"
Coleman Breslaw, Creswell
After serving as the backup to all-league standout Hunter Mustin last season, rising junior Coleman Breslaw will slot into the lead role this season.
Breslaw could be an offensive difference-maker for a Bulldogs squad that returns a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.
"Coleman is a one-cut speed back," Creswell coach Chase Beach said. "We had him at receiver, but moved him to running back because the writing was kind of on the wall that we would need him there this year. He's special; he really is."
Kai Davis, Pleasant Hill
After starring as a sophomore for Pleasant Hill in 2026, Kai Davis could be poised to break out as one of the top running backs in Class 3A this fall.
Davis earned second-team all-Mountain Valley Conference honors last year and was a first-team pick at linebacker. He will be more of a focal point in the Billies' offense this year, according to coach Kenny Koberstein.
"If Kai is not getting 20-25 touches a game, I should be fired," Koberstein said with a laugh. "We'll throw him the ball, too; we'll do a bunch of different things to get the ball in his hands."
Quintin Fisher and Logan Raube, Thurston
During its run to the Midwestern League title last fall, Thurston leaned heavily on first-team all-state senior Justin Fisher.
One of the players who will help replace Fisher is his younger brother, Quintin Fisher. The rising junior saw plenty of playing time last year. He will split reps with senior Logan Raube, and the two could create a "smash and dash" dynamic.
"We've got two kids we're really excited about who will combine for the carries," Thurston coach Justin Starck said. "Both those guys have been super dedicated this summer in the weight room and in their conditioning. We're really excited for them; they've put the time in, and they're ready to go."
Cody Hall, Sheldon
The Irish have a proven go-to running back returning this fall as junior Cody Hall is coming off a strong sophomore campaign.
Hall earned honorable-mention all-Southwest Conference accolades in 2025 in his first year as Sheldon's starter.
"Cody took a ton of snaps for us as a sophomore," Sheldon coach Tyler Martell said. "We expect him to do a really good job for us this year. We've got a senior, too — Teo Fletcher — who will help us out."
Grady Hazen and Aidan Miller, Marist Catholic
Marist Catholic will have to replace its longtime starting running back, Conner Harvey, as he transferred to Willamette for his senior season.
Spartans' coach Zach Loboy said a few different players will get meaningful snaps in the backfield this fall, including ultra-athletic seniors Grady Hazen and Aidan Miller. Both started at cornerback last fall.
Miller is coming off a stellar track season in which he placed third at the Class 4A state championships in both the 110-meter hurdles and 300 hurdles. Hazen, an all-state catcher on Marist Catholic's state title-winning baseball team, could split carries with Miller, but will also spend time at receiver.
"Miller and Hazen are two senior guys who are fast and explosive," Loboy said. "I think they both have a lot to show."
Rocco Higbee, South Eugene
South Eugene senior Rocco Higbee earned honorable mention all-Midwestern League recognition at defensive back last season.
This fall, he will be counted on as an offensive playmaker for the Axe.
Ryder Nagel, Churchill
After surging to the state semifinals last season, Churchill is in the process of replacing the most productive running back in Class 5A — all-state standout Lukas Babbitt.
In rising junior Ryder Nagel, the Lancers have a talented replacement who made some big-time contributions while spelling Babbitt in 2025. Nagel will step into a lead ball-carrier role and could be poised for a big year in Churchill's double-wing offensive scheme.
"Ryder is a little bit different than Babbitt and ( Ceville Pasi ) — he's got his own unique style," Churchill coach Layne Coffin said. "We're really happy with what he...
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